The Incomparable Christ

13 [a]For He rescued us from the [b](A)domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of [c](B)His beloved Son, 14 (C)in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 [d]He is the (D)image of the (E)invisible God, the (F)firstborn of all creation: 16 for [e](G)by Him all things were created, (H)both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (I)thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—(J)all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He [f](K)is before all things, and in Him all things [g]hold together. 18 He is also the (L)head of (M)the body, the church; and He is (N)the beginning, (O)the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For [h]it was (P)the Father’s good pleasure for all (Q)the [i]fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to (R)reconcile all things to Himself, (S)whether things on earth or things in [j]heaven, having made (T)peace through (U)the blood of His cross.

21 And although you were (V)previously alienated and hostile in attitude, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now (W)reconciled you in His (X)body of flesh through death, in order to (Y)present you before Him (Z)holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in [k]the faith firmly (AA)established and steadfast, and not shifting from the (AB)hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed (AC)in all creation under heaven, (AD)and of which I, Paul, [l]was made a [m](AE)minister.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:13 Lit Who rescued
  2. Colossians 1:13 Lit authority
  3. Colossians 1:13 Lit the Son of His love
  4. Colossians 1:15 Lit Who is
  5. Colossians 1:16 Or in
  6. Colossians 1:17 Or has existed prior to
  7. Colossians 1:17 Or endure
  8. Colossians 1:19 Or all the fullness was pleased to dwell
  9. Colossians 1:19 I.e., fullness of deity
  10. Colossians 1:20 Lit the heavens
  11. Colossians 1:23 Or in faith
  12. Colossians 1:23 Lit became
  13. Colossians 1:23 Or servant

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